Mattapoisett Land Trust walk is Saturday

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust has an agreement to buy 22 acres of woodland and wetland from Greg and Jeanne Downey, expanding its holdings southwest of Mattapoisett Neck Road.

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By MICHAEL SMITH

southcoasttoday.com

By MICHAEL SMITH

Posted Apr. 30, 2014 at 5:30 PM

By MICHAEL SMITH

Posted Apr. 30, 2014 at 5:30 PM

» Social News

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust has an agreement to buy 22 acres of woodland and wetland from Greg and Jeanne Downey, expanding its holdings southwest of Mattapoisett Neck Road.

On Saturday, the trust is offering a close-up look at the property it wants to purchase, sponsoring a walk beginning at 2 p.m. at the junction of Whalers Way and Mattapoisett Neck Road.

"It's to get people out so they can understand," Mattapoisett Land Trust President Gary Johnson said. "It's an interesting piece of property."

The property is between preserves protected by the Mattapoisett Land Trust and the Wildlands Trust. It has been identified by the Commonwealth's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program as both a "core habitat" and "critical natural landscape."

Adding the property to the previously protected land will create a permanently protected region of more than 200 acres extending from Brandt Island Cove to Mattapoisett Neck Road.

"This is an opportunity for us to fill in a hole of protected wetlands," Johnson said.

The Land Trust has scheduled fund-raising activities throughout the spring with acquisition of the property expected in June.

A $75,000 grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act will help augment the purchase, but another $40,000 must be raised before the official closing in June.

"We've been submitting applications for grants and getting solicitations through contacts," said Johnson. "It takes a while."

On Saturday, "There won't be any deep hiking," said Johnson, noting the land can be very sloppy this time of year. "This will be a casual walk along Mattapoisett Neck Road. It's a highly visible property."

An osprey nest is located on the property.

Donations can be made through the MLT website at www.mattlandtrust.org, or to the Mattapoisett Land Trust, P.O. Box 31, Mattapoisett, MA, 02739. Donations are tax deductible.

The Mattapoisett Land Trust, founded in 1974, has protected more than 700 acres, officials said. For more information call 774-263-6657 or email info@mattlandtrust.org.